Page 112 of Shallow

“It was never supposed to get that far. Your alliance with Taryn got me arrested before I could fire my publicist for his stunt at the Rugged Maniac Race. I figured if you ever wanted to tell me, then we’d talk about it, but honestly, Cary, I never gave two shits if you did or didn’t. As far as I was concerned that money wasyours.”

“You knew I took it, but you still set up the donation to the center and paid my parents’ debt?Why?”

Even through the pouring rain, I can hear thethump-thumpof my heart. I wonder if he can hear ittoo.

“Because I knew you’d probably get a conscience and not use it, so I had to have a backup plan. Plus, that wasn’t for you,” I answer with a sad smile. “That was forme.”

Cary fists his hands by his side, his anger escalating. “You put me throughhell.”

“It’s a dry heat. You’ll get used toit.”

“I should hate you,” he seethes, stepping forward again. “I should hate you so goddamnmuch.”

I meet him step for step. “Well, at least there’s a concept I’m familiarwith.”

“Fuck you for making me go against everything I stand for. Just fuck you,Shiloh.”

“Yeah?” I counter with a snarl. “Well, take a number, baby. It’s a longline.”

We glare at each other. In the pale glow of the security light, his eyes are dark and unreadable. His mouth drops open as his tongue darts out to lick a raindrop off his lip ring. That simple act, so insignificant, sends a bolt of desire racing down my spine, puckering my nipples against my wetnightgown.

My body’s response doesn’t escape Cary’s heated stare, and the instant he shifts, my vision blurs. We come together like a force of nature. Like two magnets unable to control the torque drawing them together. My hands tangle in his dripping hair as he reaches under my soaked nightgown and lifts me up by myass.

My legs automatically wrap around his waist as he kisses me, his tongue demanding entrance, as if it were an extension of his cock. We devour each other with ferocious intensity, the primal heat between us like nothing I’ve everexperienced.

Reaching behind me, I grab his hand and guide it between my legs as his fingers slide easily between my slick folds. “This is you. Every time this is what you do to me, and it scares me todeath.”

He sucks air through his teeth, the blue in his eyes completely gone. “We’re going to rip each otherapart.”

“I’m already in pieces,” I groan, rocking against him. “Finishme.”

Saying nothing, he turns us both and stalks toward the pool house. I let out a loud grunt as my back collides against the door. Digging his knee into the wood between my legs, he grinds his hips against mine. I’m suspended, barely breathing as he gropes the ivy-lined molding along the top of the doorframe. Finally finding what he’s looking for, he jams a silver key into the lock and with one turn, the door swings open, and I go withit.

Cary stumbles with me inside the darkened room, letting me slide down his body as he kicks the door closed. Taking my head in his hands, he backs me up until I’m flush against thedoor.

“What do you want, Starshine?” His eyes are predatory, and Ishiver.

“You.”

“How do you wantit?”

I don’t hesitate. “Brutal.”

A deliberate smile breaks across his face. “What acoincidence.”

Maybe should’ve chosen another word because the minute Cary’s lips slam against mine, his hand pushes my legs apart and pumps two fingers inside me with an intent to take andclaim.

I can’t see. I can’t think. All I can do is feel and climb higher, riding a wave of intensity that has me teetering right on the edge of a cliff. I’m panting. I’m screaming his name against his lips, and just as I’m about to tumble into the depths, hestops.

Devastated, I grasp his shoulders. “What thehell?”

Ignoring me, Cary rips open his pants and shoves them down his thighs. He’s standing before me, strong, powerful, and in need. His cock is swollen and hard against hisstomach.

He’s right. We’re going to rip each otherapart.

Grabbing both of my arms, Cary pins them over my head with one hand and jerks my nightgown up around my waist. Never taking his eyes off me, he hitches my leg around his hip until I’m immobile. All I can do is wait for him to saysomething.

Only hedoesn’t.